1. Truide Unger Pediatrician

2. Job Responsibilities/ Description There are many types of pediatricians, so the responsibility you may have will depend on which practice you decide on. However, pediatricians do work with other physicians and medical specialists. Therefore you may have to do practices that you are not specialized in. But, you still must know how to do these jobs. For example, if you are specialized as a Pediatric Cardiologist-the heart and circulatory system, you may be called in to help a neonatologist- caring for newborns and premature infants. A pediatrician must also work with common childhood diseases and viruses, such as ear infections, measles, and mumps. They also keep track of a patient’s growth and development, detect birth defects, and they also work closely with patient’s parents. They give parent’s suggestions and provide them with information and answer their questions.(1)

3. Training and Education After high school, pediatricians need to take four years of undergraduate courses at a college or university, in which you should receive your BS, BA, or another Bachelor’s degree. After completing college, you will need to attend 4 years of Medical School, in which you should receive an MD or DO degree. You are now a “general” doctor. Most of the time, these new doctors go on to learn a specialty in medicine. This entails at least 3 more years of “residency” training (the first year is formerly called in “internship”). After these 3 years, you are now a pediatrician and are eligible to become “certified” in pediatrics by passing tests that deals with medical conditions related to infants and children. (4)

4. Potential Employers Some pediatricians are self-employed and own/run their own business. Many work for HMOs, (Health Maintenance Organization), such as a hospital, and receive a regular salary and numerous benefits. Other physicians are employed by the government, through state or federal agencies. They also receive a stable salary and are offered benefits. There are pediatricians who work for pharmaceutical companies or hold administrative jobs at various medical child advocacy companies. (1)

5. Prospects for the Future Employment of the physicians is projected to grow faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014. This is because the continued expansion of health care industries and the aging population. (5)

6. Salary Besides the average $90,745 that you may have in debt after finishing all your schooling, the average pediatrician can start his or her career out with an average income of $120,000 to $130,000 per year. And up to $150,000 to $200,000 after 3 years. (3)

7. Other Job Qualifications Pediatricians need to be disciplined, hard working, and intelligent. As well as considerate of others, kind and compassionate. They should know how to work with staff members, as well as how to work independently. They should also be able to make quick decisions and good judgments. Communication skills are essential for any and all age levels, such as with children, parents, staff members and peers. (1)

8. Openings for Jobs In addition to employment growth, job opening will result form the need to replace physicians and surgeons who retire over the 2004- 2014 period. (5)

9. Sources of Additional Information US Public Health Service World Health Organization Centers for Disease Control Veterans Administration The Military- The Air Force, Navy, and Army (1)

10. Sources 1.) Career As A Pediatrician. Chicago, IL: The Institute of Research, 1998 2.) Greene, Alan. “The Journey to Become a Pediatrician” dr.greene.com. September, 2001. http://www.drgreene.com/21_566.html. 12/03/07.http://www.drgreene.com/21_566.html 3.) Iannelli, Vincent. “Becoming a Pediatrician.” About.com. Updated: March 5, 2006. http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/pediatrics101/a/pedi_career.htm.http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/pediatrics101/a/pedi_career.htm.. 12/03/07. 4.) Halm, Steven J. “Becoming a Pediatrician: THE BOTTOM LINE!”. YourPediatrician.com. http://www.yourpediatrician.com/BecomingAPed.htm. 12/03/07.http://www.yourpediatrician.com/BecomingAPed.htm 5.) “Physicians and Surgeons”. www.bls.gov. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos074,htm#outlook 12/07/07.www.bls.govhttp://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos074,htm#outlook